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CENTENNIAL PUBLICATION. 



Mont Wmmm f 

AND THE 

Last Will and Testament 



OF 



OF 

FAIRFAX COUNTY, YIBG1NIA, 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Designed by Charles W, Green, 



Published by Old Dominion Publishing Co. Alex. Va« 



Address orders to Green & Co. corner 8th and 
Main streets, Kichmond, Ya. 






rite 4 



■ -4- 

*A3HWST(k*KA 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the 
year 1876, by C. W. Green, in the office of the 
Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 






The American Mecca, 



101 AND BURIAL PLACE SF 

General Geof\gb Y/ashingtgn, 



In the Centennial year, when, as a nation, rank- 
ing among the first, we, the American people, invite 
to our land the people of all the world, and bid them 
welcome to this, the great American Republic; 
every thing connected with the Revolution, and es- 
pecially its great leader, becomes objects of especial 
interest. As Philadelphia is the centre of attraction 
because the most fitting place in which to celebrate 
the Declaration of the American Colonists, is the 
place where that Declaration was first promulgated, 
and where the American Colonists only one hundred 
years ago declared themselves free. So in celebrating 
that eventful time, certainly the great leader, to 
whose geiizus, patriotism, and christian virtues is 
mainly due the success • of the cause, should not be 
forgotten. That in a century the 3,000,000 colonists 
have grown to 45,000,000 that the 13 states now 
number 38, and that railroads, steamboats, and tel- 



egraphs have been the result of American ingenuity, 
is certainly no good reason that he who foundec^ the 

American Republic should be forgotten, that his re- 
mains should be neglected and almost overlooked 
within an hours ride of the Nations Capital, seems 
to prove that Republic are ungrateful. 

Were a casual observer to glance at the half 
finished shaft that disgraces the reservation in 

Washington, he might imagine that the people of 
the present day cared no more for George Wash- 
ington, the great champion of liberty, than they 
do for Benedict Arnold; but even in this fast age, 
when men are so busey money making and are so 
much taken up with the Centennial itself, that they 
appear to forget what we celebrate! thank God, 
we have yet, as in the days of the Revolution, wo- 
men as true and brave as ever breathed, and who 
sacrificed much and are steadily working now to do 
reverence to the memory of Washington, and un- 
der their fostering care and energtic management 
the residence of our great chief has been rescued from 
the fate of becoming the prey of some greedy spec- 
ulator or falling into decay. 
Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union. 



On the 17th of March, 1856, the General Assem- 
bly of "Virginia granted a charter to Mrs. Cunning- 
nam and other devoted women, under the above ti- 
tle, giving them the power to purchase and hold the 
Mount Vernon estate forever, but preventing them 



from leasing, selling or otherwise disposing of the 
property without the consent of the State Legisla- 
ture. The capital stock, not including the land or 
buildings thereon, was to consist of $200,000. This 
sum was raised principally through the exertions of 
Edward Everett, esq., who patriotically devoted 
much time to the cause, and entered the lecture 
field for this purpose. Many of the American wo- 
men also became members of the Association by the 
payment of one dollar. The Association was organ- 
ized principally through the efforts of Mrs. Cunning- 
ham and her daughter. The former was the South- 
ern Matron, and the latter served, although for 
years an invalid and confined to her house, as Re- 
gent, until her death, when Madam Burgaman, of 
Philadelphia, was chosen in her stead. 

The officers of the Association consist of the Re- 
gent, Vice Regent, Secretary, Treasurer and Super- 
intendent. 

The Regent makes all appointments, with the ad- 
vice of the Grand Council. Annual Councils are 
now held in the Spring, at Mount Yernon. 

Membership in the Association is had by the pay- 
rnant of one dollar, an additional dollar paid on or 
before the 22d of February entitles the member to 
vote in the annual meeting of that year. 

Meetings, under the constitution, must be held an- 
nually, in the city of Washiugton, or at Mount Yer- 
non, on the 22d day of February, or such other day 
as the Regent may fix upon as the time. 



The Vice Eegents are nominated by the Kegent 
to the Grand Council. They, in connection with 
the Eegent, constitute the managing board of the 
Association. Other officers are also nominated by 
the Eegent. 

The Grand Council can only be convened by the 
Eegent, except in case of her death or absence from 
the United States, when three or more Vice Eegents 
can convene it. 

Local Boards are appointed by the Eegent, and 
their rights and duties are prescribed by her, sub- 
ject to the control of the Grand Council. 
What has Been Done. 

Under the management of the Association, $200,- 
000 has been raised and paid to Col. J. A. Washing- 
ton, and Mount Vernon to-day is dedicated by the 
loving care of woman to the memory of him who 
loved it so well, but who was ever ready at the call 
of duty to sacrifice, were it necessary, even life itself 
for duty. 

What it is Proposed to do. 

The ever efficient and energetic management of 
the Association now propose to raise $50,000 as an 
endowment fund, after which the grounds will be 
made free to every American or foreigner who may 
feel inclined to visit this hallowed shrine. 
How to get to the Tomb. 

Leaving the wharf at the foot of Seventh street, 
Washington city, or from King street wharf, Alex- 
andria, on the steamer Arrow, at 10 a. m., under 



the command of her genial commander, Captain 
Hollingshead, the pilgrim to the tomb glides quietly 
along the river of swans for an hour ere reaching 
his destiny, and enjoys a most pleasurable trip. 

The Objects of Interest 
are : First the arsenal, on the grounds of which the 
old penitentiary once stood, where Mrs. Surratt and 
the conspirators were executed in 1865. All that 
now stands to mark the place is two handsome 
buildings on the north side of the grounds, which 
once were part of the penitentiary, and between the 
two is the spot where the execution took place. 

The next thing to be seen is a full view of St. 
Elizabeth's Insane Asylum, and Geisboro, where 
the British landed in 1812, when they went to fight 
the battle of Bladensburg. Seven miles below Wash- 
ington is 

Alexandria. 

This old town, with its quiet streets and which is 
going to decay, once vied with the cities of the 
Union as the principal shipping port of the States. 
Time changes all things, and Alexandria has been a 
sufferer in the past 100 years. First, she lost her 
shipping during the Eevolutionary war, and again 
during the war of 1812, this important industry was 
swept away. For nearly fifty years she remained in 
the District of Columbia, and while there, remained, 
as it were, in a dormant condition. After the re- 
trocession a new life sprang into existence, and the 
town promised to make rapid strides in commerce 



8 

and manufactures, but again in 1860 war brought 
new ruin to Alexandria, as well as to the whole 
South, and fron* this last blow she has never been 
able to recover. This sketch of the old town is given 
because the great Washington was so deeply inter- 
ested in its welfare, and so intimately connected 
with its history that not to mention a few Bevolu- 
tianary remeniscences of the town would be out of 
place. Here, on the corner of Fairfax and Cameron 
streets stands the Mansion Hotel, which has been 
built around the house in which General Brad dock 
had his headquarters when starting on the memora- 
ble campaign of the French and Indian wars. On 
the corner of Cameron and Royal streets stands the 
old City Hotel, where Washington used to lodge. 
Three squares farther up we find old Christ Church, 
which was built in 1773, where Washington wor- 
shiped; and his pew, for which he paid the highest 

price, £30 and some shillings, is still in the same 
condition as when used by him except the old fash- 
ioned high back has been cut down. He was one of 
the first vestrymen of this church. 

Washington Free School is also a relic of the mu- 
nificence of the illustrious patriot, and is situated 
on Washington street. The bequest to this school 
can be found in the will published herewith. 

Leaving Alexandria the Arrow passes forts Foote 
and Washington, the latter designed by the father 
of his country, and finally, after an hour and a half 
most delightful trip we are landed at the 



9 

Mount Vernon Wharf, 
and placed in charge of the genial Superintendent, 
Col. J. McHenry Hollings worth. This gentleman 
is an old officer, and served in the Mexican war. He 
is a resident of Georgetown, and was appointed 
against has wishes by the Association as Superin- 
tendent. Col. H. is the right man in the right 
place, and has done more to relieve the Association 
from its pecuniary embarrassments than any one 
could have expected or hoped for, Since his appoint- 
ment the Colonel has been engaged in the laudable 
purpose of creating means ,'to meet the expenses of 
keeping up and improving the grounds and build- 
ings. To give the reader some idea of what this 
gentleman has accomplished we append a complete 
list of the receipts and expenditues for the past few 

years : 

Eeceipts . Expenditures . 

1873 $6,072.34 $6,134.82 

1874 7,956.43 7,901.82 

1875 6,168.07 6,217.99 

It is only fair to state that in 1874 $1,000 was fur- 
nished out of the receipts at Mount Vernon for the 
endowment fund. 

To show something about the amount of travel to 
the tomb, we give the number of visitors for the first 
three months of 1876 : January, 550; February, 554; 
March, 689. 

The receipts for the same length of time were : 
January, $466.09; February, $410.20; March, 
$701.18. 



10 

The receipts are obtained, first from the 50 cents 
paid by the steamer Arrow for every visitor carried 
down by her, and 25 cents received from other visi- 
tors. Col. Hollingsworth's first idea was to make 
the receipts equal the expenses, and to do this he 
immediately set to work to provide the ways and 
means as follows : He started a lunch room in the 
butler's house, where a substantial lunch can be had 
for the small sum of half a dollar. The receipts 
from this source have equaled 6300 a month. To 
accommodate the increasing demand that it is though 
will be made this year, a large dining tent has been 
erected in the rear of the Superintendent's office, 
and it is hoped that a much larger sum may here- 
after be realized from this source. 

The sale of flowers is also a lucrative source of 
revenue, and have reached as much as $100 per 
month. 

A dairy has been established, and during the Sum- 
mer as much as fifteen gallons of ice cream has been 
sold per day. 

Photographs and canes are also sold and add 
something to the fund. 

Eighteen acres has been set in peaches, and it is 
hoped that this, together with strawberries and 
other fruits will enable the Colonel to meet his ex- 
penses and improve the place. Last Fall he raised 
1,000 pouned of pork, and hopes to increase this 
year. 



11 

To fully carry out the designs of the managers^ 
no less than $10,000 will be required every year and 
it does seem reasonable that the American people 
would appreciate the memory of Washington suf- 
ficiently to raise the $50,000 endowment needed for 
this purpose, so as to throw the tomb open to all 
free of cost. 

The Endowoient Plan. 

The Association propose raising $50,000 as an en- 
dowment fund, the interest alone being used for the 
necessary expenses of keeping up the grounds and 
buildings. When this sum is raised Mount Yernon 
will be opened to all visitors without cost. Who 
can doubt the propriety of giving every pilgrim to 
this shrine of liberty free access to the grounds, the 
home and the grave of the father of his country. 

Let every man and woman as thev this year make 
the pilgrimage, give of their abundance one dollar,in 
aid of this fund, so that a poorer brother may be 
able to enjoy without price, a visit to this our Mecca. 

The Grounds and Grave. 

On leaving the boat Col. Holliugsworth leads the 
visitors first to the tomb, a massive brick vault 
which was built in accordance with directions left in 
Washington's will. The tomb was originally built 
to receive the body of Washington, but as it was 
found that wooden coffins decayed rapidly it was de- 
cided in 1837 to have a marble sarcophagus built for 
the body, and a patriotic citizen of Philadelphia,Mr. 



12 

John Struthers, asked and received permission to 
present a sarcophagus for the purpose, he also fur- 
nished a similar though plainer one for the remains 
of Mrs. Washinton. Up to this time three wooden 
coffins had disappeared before the destroyer time. 
Maj. Lewis, the surviving executor, under the will, 
accepted the generous offer of Mr. Struthers, and 
the sarcophagi were hewn from solid blocks of 
Pennsylvania marble. As it was ascertained that the 
dampness of the vault would soon discolor the beau- 
ty of the marble, the vault was enlarged so as to 
permit the coffins to stand in the dry air, and on 
Saturday October 1837 the illustaious remains were 
placed in the receptacle where they have ever since 
remained. The simple inscription : 

W r ITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE 
RESTS 
THE REMAINS OF 

GENERAL GEOKGE WASHINGTON. 

is found over the gate. To the right is seen the sar- 
cophagus which contains his remains. It is sur- 
mounted by a handsome shield of the United States, 
(A soldier during the war climbed over the high iron 
fence, and broke off one of the talons of the eagle 
Below the shield is : 

"WASHINGTON." 
On the foot is : 

By the permission of 
Lawrence Lewis, 



13 

The surviving executor of 

George Washington, 

This sarcophagus 

*Was presented by John Struther, 

A. D., 1837. 

On the left hand side of tiie vault is the other sar- 
cophagus, which is of the same material, though 
perfectly plain. Upon it is : 

MARTHA, 

Consort of 

WASHINGTON, 

On the foot is inscribed : 

Died May 21, 1801, 

Aged 71 years. 

Through the grating may be seen above the 
iron door leading to the vault, in black letters, on 

a marble slab : 

"I am the resurrection and the life, and whosoeve 
believe th in Me shall not die. — St. John xi., 25-26. 

A little sparrow has built her nest in the niche 
that contains the above slab, and seems to enjoy 
the safety and security of the position, as she is 
often seen unconcernedly watching the crowd as 
they eagerly peer through the iron gates. 

The key of the vault has long since been thrown 
into the Potomac, so it is impossible to ever again 
enter it. On either side of the front of the tomb 
stand two massive monuments, enclosed within 
iron fences, and turning to the right, (with your 
back to the tomb,) you read : 

*This line is obliterated. 



14 

Sacred 

To the memory of 

John Augustine Washington, 

Son of 

Corbin and Hannah Lee. 

Washington, 

And nephew of 

Judge Bushrod Washington, 

Who appointed him one 

Of his executors 

And bequeathed him 

Mt. Yernon, 

When he died June 16, 1832, 

Aged 43. 

On the other monument we read, 

"Frithm the vault 

Lie buried 

The mortal remains 
of 

BUSHKOD TfASHINGTON, 

An associate justice 

Of the Supreme Court 

Of the TJ. S. 

He died in Philadelphia 

;N T ov'r. 26, 1829, 

Aged 68 }^ears. 

By his side is interred 

His devoted wife, 

TFho survived her beloved 

Husband but two days, 
Afljed 60. 



15 



On the same monument we find inscribed: 
Judge TFashingtox, 
TPbrthy son of 
John Augustine TFashington, 
And nephew of 
# General George IFashington, 
TTho appointed him 
One of his executors, 
And bequeathed him 
Mt. Vernon, 
Turning from them we pass to the right of the 
vault and find a monument erected to the memory of 
Mrs. M. E. A. Conrad 
grand neice of JPashington, 
and to 
Eleanor Parke Lewis 
grand daughter of Mrs. and adopted daughter of 
General TTashino'ton. 



16 

Fifty yards hence, and we are at the old tomb, 

and contemplating its ruins we are carried back 

to the day when ETashington was buried, and the 

feeling displayed by a grateful people as they came 

in swarms from all directions to do homage to 
the honored dead. And again, as we look at this 
small abode for the great dead, (7 ft. wide by 12 
feet deep,) now falling rapidly to decay, we are 
reminded of the attempt made in 1835 to steal 
the body of TFashington. The attempt failed, as 
the bones of another * member of the family were 
taken ^instead of his, they were soon recovered. 
In looking back to the 14th of December, 1799, 

we can better imagine than describe the scene of 
that death bed; other writers have described it, 
and it would be out of place here but to bring 
more vividly before the mind of the pilgrim a 
short description of the funeral is given. In those 
days we had no railroads or steamboats, and those 
who would honor TPashington and follow him to 
his last home must find their way to Mt. Vernon 
on foot or by such vehicles as chanced to be had, 
and on an occasion like that few vehicles were to 
be had, and many from the ueighboring towns of 
Alexandria and Georgetown had to walk to the 
funeral, as did the Masonic procession from Al x- 
andria. 

The funeral procession formed in the following 
order, at 3 o'clock on the 16th : 



17 



The troops — horse and foot. 

The Clergy, 

Eev. Drs. Muir, Davis, Moffat and Addison. 

The General's horse, with saddle, holsters and pistols. 

Music. 

Guards consisting of a detail from the Alexandria 

Blues, Captain Piercy. 



Col. Simms, 
Col. Bamsay, 
Col. Payne, 



General 

Geo. Washington, 

Departed 

This life 

On the 

14th Dec. 1799. 

J£T. 68. 



Col. Gilpin, 



Col. Marstella, 



Col. Little, 



Principal mourners: 

The Corporation of Alexandria. 

Alexandria Lodge, ~No. 22. 

Dr. Elisha C. Dick, TForshipful Master. 

Officers and members. 

Brook Lodge, ]^o. 47, (of Alexandria.) 

Federal Lodge, Xo. 15, (of TFashington, D, C.) 
Rev. Thos. Davis conducted the Burial service. 
Dr. Dick conducted the Masonic ceremonies. 

Three discharges of arms by infantry, artillery, 
and cavalry, paid a last tribute to the gr^ at leader. 
During the services minute guns were fired from a 
vessel in the river. The sun was setting as the 
mourning people turned from the tomb. 



18 

From this point we pass on to the Mansion, by 
the old stable, which has been repaired and re- 
cently re-covered. Entering the yard we find 
ourselves soon upon the porch which is 92 
ft. 8 in. by 12 ft. 8 in. The flags of this porch 
which are now well worn w r ere brought from 
England by Washington when he enlarged the 
Mansion. In front we have a fine view of the 
Potomac river in all its beauty. In passing back to 
the later days of the 18th. century, we can almost 
see the grand old gentleman as he stands upon the 
old porch, hat off, in return for the salute being paid 
by some passing craft; the vessel having passed we 
can imagine the feelings that filled his breast at the 
love of a nation shown in this and every other way. 
The summer house of which Lossing speaks has 
passed away, and the deer park to the left of the 
house is there no longer, but it is to be re-furnished 
with deer by Ex-Governor Walker of Virginia, and 
a gentleman from Montana has kindly promised to 
furnish some elk for the same purpose. Turning 
from the river we enter the large hall aund follow our 
genial guide, Col. H., into the 

East Parlor. 

Here are some old things belonging to the father 
of his country, incased; the main thing pointed out 
is the cast of Washington by Houdan. In this con- 
nection it may not be out of place to say that it is a 
popular error that Washington had a cast of his 
body made by the great French artist, for he did not 



19 

it was only his face; the real cast of the face is care- 
fully preserved. Here also is the Masonic apron of 
Lafayette, and Washington's tripod. From this 
room we enter the largest room in the house, now 
known as the 

aSTew York Boom. 
In it is found the handsome marble mantle presen- 
ted to Washington by Sam'l Vaughn, the model of 
the famous French Bastile, Eleanor Custis's harpsi- 
chord purchased for and presented to her as a wed- 
ding gift by Washington, at a cost of $1,000, and a 
copy after Trumbull's likeness of Washington by 
Lambdin of Philadelphia. From this room we enter 

The West Parlor, 
or Connecticut Koom. Here we find Washington's 
sideboard, presented to the Association by Mrs. Gen. 
R. E. Lee, great grand-daughter of Mrs Washington* 
Here too is a picture of the attack on Carthagena, in 
which Lawrence Washington participated, serving 
under Admiral Vernon, and on his return to Amer- 
ica named his home after him. Here too are Wash- 
ington's liquor chest and camp equipage and some 
old chairs said to have belonged to him. Again we 
enter the passage and here we see on the wall a glass 
case, placed there by Washington himself, in which 
is the Key of The Bastile, sent him by Lafayette. 
We enter a small room in which is found nothing of 
note, next the dining room and thence into the Li- 
brary and back into the council room , in which it is 
proposed to have the coat of arms of each state 



20 

put up; so far only TFisconsin and Maine have sent 
in their tribute. 

On the second floor we find the Virginia room, 
or the room in which Washington died; in it is some 
old furniture and a table said to have been the one 
used to hold his medicines during his last illness. 
The bed in which he died is said to be in the poses- 
sion of Gen. Fitz. Lee. On the third floor is the 
room in which Mrs. "Washington died; it is not large 
but it was the only room in the house from which 
could be seen the tomb, and for this reason was 
chosen by Mrs. Washington and occupied by her 
until the time of her death. This is known as the 
Wisconsin room and is in charge of Mrs. Judge 
Mitchel, Vice Eegent from that state; she has just 
had it handsomely refurnished in style, fac simile to 
that used by Mrs. TTashington, the cost of the set of 
furniture which is covered with pure camel's hair 
cloth (the wood is mahogany) was $1,000. There 
are 5 rooms on this floor but none of the others are 
worthy of especial mention. 

The principal room on the second floor besides the 
one in which Washington died is the New Jersey 
or Lafayette room, in which is to be seen the look- 
ing glass and dressing case used by the distinguish- 
ed Frenchman during his visit to Mount Yemen: 
also a table the cover of which is handsomely work- 
ed with Masonic Emblems, said to have been pre- 
sented by the ladies of the Revolution to Washing- 
ton. Besides these are the Pennsylvania room in 



21 

which all the Furniture, except the bedstead is be- 
lieved to have been Washington's. Theie are alto- 
gether, 18 rooms in the house; it was originally much 
smaller but was enlarged and greatly improved by 
the General in 1784-5. 

The Lawx and Garden. 
Leaving the Mansion at the rear door the Colonel 
leads the visitors to the right of the beautiful lawn, 
(which occupies about 20 acres,) towards the Green- 
house and Flower Garden; on the left we see the 
vegetable garden, passing the Superintendents room 
we approach the flower garden and find at the gate 
four beautiful trees, planted by the illustrious owner; 
two are ash and two poplar. Entering the garden 
we see the beds bordered by box 100 years old, plan- 
ted under the direction of either the General or his 
wife. The beds in the Spring, are full of old fash- 
ioned flowers, and one can well imagine Mrs. Mar- 
tha Washington, in the picturesque dress of a cen- 
tury ago, moving among the flower beds and direc- 
ting the management of her garden, as was the 
wont of ye ladies of ye ancient time. Next we en- 
ter the Greenhouse, a new structure; the original 
building was destroyed by fire, when the Govern- 
ment was generous enough to appropriate $7,000 to 
have it rebuilt. In it however the only thing re- 
maining that belonged to Washington is the stalk 
of the Sago Palm now 130 years old, there is now a 
young palm in existence raised from the original 
bulb. Two rooms of rare and beautiful plants and 



22 

flowers have been added under the management of 
Col. Hollingsworth. In the greenhouse is a fine 
grapery from which bunches weighing 1 ft> have been 
taken and as many as $11.70 worth has been sold in 
one day. Seven hands are now employed in keep- 
ing up the place. Just inside the garden gate are 
four Calacanthus bushes, presented by Jefferson to 
Washington and planted and named by the latter af- 
ter his four friends, 

MADISON. ADAMS. 

MONROE JEFFERSON 

On either end of both gardens are to be seen octa- 
gonal shaped implement and seed houses, which tra- 
dition would have you believe were once erected as 
as a means of defence against^the Indians but history 
tell a different story and the houses were erected fo r 
the more peaceful art of agricultural convenience. 
Turning again towards the house we see the Magno- 
lia Grandiflora and the Coffee Tree from Kentucky, 
planted by the illustrious hero and thus become of 
interest to every pilgrim to the tomb. 

There are many other items of interest in and 
around the place ever dear to the Americans; but in 
a short sketch like this the writer has huridly past 
by many things that could have been elaborated; the 
object of this book is more to serve as a guide for the 
Pilgrim than to tire him with sentiment or verbous- 
ness. If in its compilation any service has been ren 
dered the able and efficient management, who from 
purely patriotic motives are laboring to add to its 



23 

permanency and its beauty, to keep back the rava- 
ges of old time, so that the patriot who visits the 
tomb in 1976 may find it as well, if not better pre- 
served than now, then this little book has not been 
penned in vain. 

Eemember 
That to join the association costs only one dollar 

and it may be paid to the Regent, the Yice Regents 
or to Colonel Hollingsworth the genial superinten- 
dent. 



24 
Washington's Birth Place. 

In an unpretending frame building in the county of 
Westmoreland, George Washington was born, a 
fire destroyed ihe house andWashington's farther re- 
moved while he was but a mere boy, to the Bappahan- 
nock farm near Fredericksburg, which he afterwards 
left to George in his will. The late Geo. W. Park 
Custis had erected in 1815 a piece of freestone on 
which was engraved: 

Here, 

On the 11th of February, 1732, 

Geo. Washington 

WAS BORN. 

The record of his birth, in the hand writing 
of his farther, was found in the family bible as 
follows: 

George Washington, son of Augustine and Mary 
his wife, was born ye 11th day of February, 1732, 
about *11 in the morning, and was baptised the 3d 
of April following: Mr. Beverley Whiting and Chris- 
topher Brooks, god fathers and Mrs. Mildred Gregory 
godmother. 

*It was 20 years after Washington's birth that the 
Gregorian Calendar was adopted, hence we celebrate 
the 22nd instead of the 11th of February in remem- 
brance of his birth. 



ggtt jjilb and Ifgfemettf^ 



OF 



Gen. Geo. Washington, 



ATSTD HIS CONSORT. 



Martha Washington, 



OF 






FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA. 



a§lliffiti f § Wil 



mm® 



In the name of Gcd Amen, 

I, George Washington, of Mount Vernon, a citizen 
of the United States, and lately President of the same 
do make, ordain and declare this Instrument, which 
is written with my own hand, and every page* there- 
of suhscribed with my name to he my last Will and 
Testament, revoking, all others. 

imprimus — All my debts, of which there are but 
few, and none of magnitude, are to be punctually and 
speedily paid, and the legacies hereinafter bequeath- 
ed are to be discharged as soon as circumstances will 
permit, and in the manner directed. 

Item— To my clearly beloved wife, Martha Wash- 
ington, I give and bequeath the use, profit and ben- 
efit of my whole estate, real and personal, for the 
term of her natural life, except such parts thereof as 

*At the foot of every page (except one) of the 
original will, the autograph of the writer is found. 



are specially disposed of hereafter,— My improved 
lot in the town of Alexandria, situated on Pitt and 
Cameron streets, I give to her and her heirs forever, 
as I also do my household and kitchen furniture of 
every sort and kind with the liquors and grocerie s 
which may be on hand at the time of my decease, to 
he used and disposed of as she may think proper. 

Item — Upon the decease of my wife it is my will 
and desire that all the slaves which I hold in my 
oicn right shall receive their freedom To emanci- 
pate them during her life, would, tlio' earnestly wish- 
ed by me, be attended with such insuperable diffi- 
culties, on account of their intermixture by marriage 
with the dower negroes, as to excite the most painful 
sensations, — if not disagreeable consequences from 
the latter while both descriptions are in the occupan- 
cy of the same proprietor, it not being in my power 
under the tenure by which the dower negroes are 

held to manumit them And whereas among 

those who will receive freedom according to this de- 
vise there may be some who from old age, or bodily 
infirmities, and others, who on account of their in 
fancy, that will be unable to support themselves, it 
is my will and desire that all who come under the 
first and second description shall be comfortably 
clothed and fed by my heirs while they live, and that 
such of the latter description as have no parents liv- 
ing, or if living are unable or unwilling to provide 
for them, shall be bound by the court until they shall 
arrive at the age of twenty-five years, and in cases 



where no record can be produced whereby their ages 
can be ascertained, the judgment of the court upon 
its own view of the subject shall be adequate and 
final. The negroes thus bound are (by their mas- 
ters or mistresses) to be taught to read and write* and 
to be brought up to some useful occupation, agreea- 
bly to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 
providing for the support of orphans and other poor 
children— and I do hereby expressly forbid the sale 
or transportation out of the said Commonwealth of 
any slave I may die possessed of, under any pretence 
whatsoever — and I do moreover most positively and 
most solemnly enjoin it upon my executors here- 
after named, or the survivors of them, to see that 
this clause respecting slaves and every part thereof 
be religiously fulfilled at the epoch at which it is di- 
rected to take place without evasion, neglect or de- 
lay after the crops which may then be on the ground 
are harvested, particularly as it respects, the aged 
and infirm, seeing that a regular and permanent 
fund be established for their support so long as there 
are subjects requiring it, not trusting to the uncer- 
tain provisions to be made by individuals.- And 

to my mulatto man, William (calling himself William 
Lee) I give immediate freedom, or, if he should pre- 
fer it (on account of the accidents which have befallen 
him and which have rendered him incapable of walk- 
ing or of any active employment) to remain in the 

*Owing to the laws of Virginia, this provision of 
the will could not be carried out. 



situation he now is, it shall he optional in him to do 
so. — In either case, however, I allow him an annuity 
of thirty dollars during his natural life, which shall 
h e Independent of the victuals and clothes he has been 
accustomed to receive, if he chooses the last alternative, 
but in full with his freedom, if he prefers the first, 
and this I give him as a testimou}^ of 1113' sense of 
his attachment to me and for his faithful services du" 
ring the Eevolutionary war. 

ITE3I — To the Trustees, (Governors, or by what- 
soever other name they may be designated,) of the 
academy in the town of Alexandria, I give and be- 
queath, in trust, four thousand dollars, or in other 
words, twenty of the shares which I hold in the Bank 
of Alexandria, towards the support of a free school 
established at, and annexed to the said academy* 
*br the purpose of educating such orphan children, 
or the children of such other poor and indigent per- 
sons as are unable to accomplish it with their own 
means, and who in the judgment of the trustees of 
the said seminary, are best entitled to the benefit o* 
this donation. The aforesaid twenty shares I give 
and. bequeath in perpetuity — the dividend* only of 
which are to be drawn for and applied by the said 
trustees for the time being, for the uses above men- 
tioned, the stock to remain entire and untouched un- 
less indications of a failure of the said bank should 
be so apparent, or discontinuance thereof should 
render a removal of this fund necessary, in either of 
tl rr -e cases the amount of the stock here devised is 



to be vested in some other bank or public institution 
whereby the interest may with regularity and certain- 
ty be drawn and applied as above. And to pre- 
vent misconception, my meaning is, and is hereby 
declared to be that these twenty shares are in lieu o* 
and not in addition to the thousand pounds given 
by a missive letter some years ago, in consequence 
whereof an annuity of fifty pounds has since been 
paid towards the support of this institution. 

ITE3I — Whereas by a law of the Commonwealth 
of Virginia, enacted in the year 1785, the Legisla- 
ture thereof was pleased (as an evidence of its appro 
bation of the services I had rendered the public du- 
ring the Revolution — and partly, I believe in consid- 
eration of my having suggested the vast advantages 
which the community would derive from the exten- 
sion of its inland navigation, under Legislative pa- 
tronage) to present me with one hundred shares, 
of one hundred dollars each, in the incorporated com- 
pany established for the purpose of extending the 
navigation of James River from tide water to the 
mountains; and also with fifty shares of one hundred 
pounds sterling each in the corporation of another 
company likewise established for the similar pur- 
pose of opening the navigation of the Potomac from 
tide water to Fort Cumberland; the acceptance of 
which, although the offer was highly honorable and 
grateful to my feelings, was refused, as inconsistent 
with a principle which I had adopted, and had never 
departed from, namely, not to receive pecuniary 



compensation for any service 1 could render my 
country in its arduous struggle with Great Britain 
for its rights; and because I had evaded similar prop- 
ositions from other States in the Union — adding to 
this refusal however an intimation that if it should 
be the pleasure of the Legislature to permit me to 
appropriate the said shares to public uses, I would 
receive them on those terms, with due sensibility — 
and this it having consented to in nattering terms? 
as will appear by a subsequent law and sundry res- 
olutions, in the most ample and honorable manner, 
I proceed after this recital for the more correct un_ 
derstanding of the case to declare — 

That as it has always been a source of serious re" 
gret with me to see the youth of these United States 
sent to foreign countries for the purpose o':' education 
often before their minds were formed or they had 
imbibed any adequate ideas of the happiness of their 
own, contracting too frequently not only habits o* 
dissipation and extravagence, but principles unfriend" 
ly to Kepublican government, and to the true and 
genuine liberties of mankind, which thereafter are 

rarely overcome. For these reasons it has been 

my ardent wish to see a plan devised on a liberal , 
scale which would have a tendency to spread syste- 
matic ideas through all parts of this rising empire? 
thereby to do away local attachments and State pre- 
judices as far as the nature of things would, or in- 
deed ought to admit, from our national councils — 
Looking anxiously forward to the accomplishment 



9 

of so desirable an object as this is, (in my estimation) 
my mind has not been able to contemplate any plan 
more likely to effect the measure than the establish 
ment of a university in a central part of the United 
States; to which the youth of fortune and talents 
from all parts thereof might be sent for the comple- 
tion of their education in all the branches of polite 
literature marts and sciences — in acquiring know 
jedge in the principles of politics and good govern- 
ment — and (as a matter of infinite importance in my 
j udgement) by associating with each other and form 
ing friendships in juvenile years, be enabled to free 
themselves in a proper degree from those local pre. 
judices and habitual jealousies which have just been 
mentioned and which when carried to excess are 
never failing sources of disquietude to the public 
mind and pregnant of mischievous consequences to 
this country: — Under these impressions so fully di 
lated, — 

Item — I give and bequeath in perpetuity the fifty 
shares which I hold in the Potomac Company (un- 
der the aforesaid acts of the Legislature of Virginia) 
towards the endowment of a university to be estab- 
lished within the limits of the District of Columbia, 
under the auspices of the general government, if 
that government should incline to extend a fostering 
hand towards it, and until such seminary is estab- 
lished, and the funds arising on these shares shall be 
raquired for its support, my further will and desire 



10 



is that the profit accruing therefrom shall whenever 
the dividends are made, be laid out in purchasing 
stock in the Bank of Columbia or some other Bank 
at the discretion of my Executors, or by the Treas- 
urer of the United States for the time being uuder 
the direction of Congress, provided that Honorable 
body should patronize the measure. And the dividends 
proceeding from the purchase of such Stock is to be 
vested in mor3~Stock and so on until a sum adequate 
to the accomplishment of the object is obtained of 
which I have not the smalest doubt before many years 
passes away even if no aid or encouragement is given 
hy Legislstive authority or from any other source. 

lTE3i^-The hundred shares which I held in the 
the James Eiver Company I have given and now 
confirm in perpetuity to and for the use and benifit 
of ^Liberty Hall Academy in the county of 
Rockbridge, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Item — I release, exeonorate and dischare the es- 
tate of my deceased brother, Samuel Washington 
for the payment of the money due to me for the 
land I sold to Philip Pendleton (lying in the 
county of Berkley) who assigned the same to him 
the said Samuel, who by agreement was to pay me 
therefor. And whereas by some contract (the pur- 
port of which was never communinicated to me) 
between the said Samuel and his son Thornton 



11 

Washington, the latter became possessesed > of 
the aforesaid land without any conveyance having 
passed from me either to the said Pendleton, the said 
Samuel or the said Thornton and without any consid 
eration having been made, by which neglect 
neither the legal or equitable title has been 
alienated; — it rests therefore with me to declare 
my intentions concerning the premises. — And 
these are to give and bequeath the said land to 
whomsoever the said Thornton Washington (who is 
also dead) devised the same or his heirs forever, if 
he died intestate. — Exonerating the estate of the 
said Thornton, equally with that of the said Samuel 
from payment of the purchase money, which 
with interest agreeable to the original contract with 
the said Pendleton would amount to more than a 
thousand pounds. And m hereas two other sons of my 
deceased brother Samuel, viz. George Steptoe Wash- 
ington and Lawrence Augustine Washington were 
by the decease of those to whose care they were 
committed; brought under my protection, and in 
consequence have occasioned advances on my part 
for their education at college and other schools 
for their board clothing and other incidental expenses 
to the amount of near five thousand dollars over 
and above the sums furnished by their estate, wch 
sum may be inconvenient for them or their farther's 
Estate to refund. — I do for these reasons acquit 
them and the said Estate from the payment there- 
of. — My intention being that all accounts between 



12. 



them and me and their father's Estate and me 
shall stand balanced. 

Item — The balance due to me from the Estate , 
of Bartholomew Dandridge deceased, (my wife's 
brother) and which amounted on the first day of 
October, 1795, to Four hundred and twenty five 
pounds (as will appear by an account rendered by 
his deceased son, John Dandridge; who was the ac- 
ting Executor of his father's will) I release and ac- 
quit from the payment thereof. And the negroes 
(then thirty three in number) formerly belonging to 
the said Estate who were taken in Execution, sold, 

and purchased in, on my account in the year 

and ever since have remained in the possession and 
to the use of Mary, widow of the said Bartholomew 
Dandridge with their increase ; it is my will and de- 
sire shall continue and be in her possesion, without 
paying hire or making compensation for the same 
for the time past or to come during her natural life, 
at the expiration of which, I direct that all of them 
who are 40 years old and upwards shall receive their 
freedom, all under that age and above sixteen shall 
serve seven years and no longer, and all under six- 
teen years shall serve until they are twenty five years 
of age aad then be free. And to avoid disputes respect- 
ing the ages of any of these negroes they are to.be taken 
to the Court of the County in which/the v reside and 
the judgement thereof in this relation shall be final 
and a record thereof made, which may be adduced 
as evidence at any time thereafter if disputes should 



13 

arise concerning the same. And I farther direct that 
the heirs of the said Bartholomew Dandridge shall 
equally share the benefits arising from the services 
of the said negroes according to the tenor of this 
devise upon the decease of their mother. 

Item — If Charles Carter who int( rmarried with 
my niece Bettie Lewis, is not sufficiently secured in 
the title to the lots he ha 1 of me in the town of Fied- 
erichsburg, it is my will and desire that my Execu- 
tors shall nake such conveyances of them as the law 
requires to render it perfect. 

Item. — To my nephew, Wm, Augustine Washing- 
ton and his heirs (if he should conceive them to be ob- 
jects worth prosecuting) and to his heirs a lot in the 
town of Manchester (opposite toldchmond) iSTo. 265 
drawn on my sole account and also the tenth of one 
or two hundred acre lots and two or three half-acre 
lots in the city and vicinity of Bichmond, drawn 
in partnership wicli nine others, all in the lottery of 
the deceased William Brycl are given, —as is also a 
lot which I purchased of John Hood conveyed by 
William Willie and Samuel Gordon, Trustees of the 
said John Hood, numbered 139 in the town of 
Edenburg in the County of Prince George, State of 
Virginia, — 

Item— To my nephew, Bushrod Washington I 
give and bequeath all the papers in my possession 
which relate to my civil and military administration 
of the affairs of thiO Country:— I leave to him als 



14 

such of my private papers as are worth preserving ;- 
and at the decease of my wife and before if she 
is not inclined to retain them, I give and bequeath 
my library of Books and pamphlets of every kind. 

Item — Having- sold lands which I possessed in the 
State of Pennsylvania and part of a tract held in equal 
right, with George Clinton, late Governor of iSTew 
York, in the State of Kew York; — My share of land 
in the great Dismal Swamp, and a tract of land 
which I owned in the County of Gloucester; with- 
holding the legal titles thereto until the considera- 
tion money should be paid — And having moreover 
leased and conditionUy sold, (as will appear by the 
tenor of the said leases) ad my lands upon the Great 
Kanhawa and the tract upon Difficult Bun 
in the county of Loudoun, it is my will and 
direction that whensoever the contracts are fully and 
respectively complied with according to the Spirit, 
true intend, and meaning thereof on the part of 
the purchasers, their heirs, assigns, that then 
and in that case conveyances are to be made agree- 
ably to the terms of sud contracts and the money 
arising therefrom when paid to be vested in Bank 
Stock, the dividends whereof, as of that also which 
is already vested therein, is to inure to my said wife 
d :ing her life but the Stock its'. elf is to remain 
and be subject to the general distribution hereafter 
directed. 

Item— To the Earl of Buchan I recommit "The 



15 

Box made of the Oak that sheltered the Great Sir 
William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk- pre- 
sented to me by his Lordship in terms too flatter- 
ing for me to repeat, with a request u To pass It, 
on the event of my decease to the mm in my Coun- 
try who should appear to merit it best, upon the 
same conditions that have induced him to send it to 
me. '-Whether easy or not to select the MAH who 
might comport with his Lordship's opinion in this 
respect, is not for me to say, but conceiving that no 
disposition of this valuable cariosity, can be more 
eligable than the re-commitment of it to his own 
cabinet agreeable to the original design of the Gold- 
smith's Company of Edinbugh, who presented it to 
him, and at his request, consented that it should 
be transferred to me; I do give and bequeath the 
same to his Lordship, and in case of his decease, to 
his heir with my grateful thanks for the distinguish- 
ed honor of presenting it to me, and more especially 
for the favorable sentiments with which he accompa- 
nied it- 

Item — To my brother Charles Washington I give 
and bequeath the gold-headed cane left me by Doct'r 

Franklin in his will 1 add nothing to it because 

of ample provision I have made for his issue " 

To the acquaintances and friends of my juvenile 

years, Lawrence Washington and Robert Washing- 
ton of Chotank, I give my other two gold -headed 
canes, having my arms engraved on them, and to 



16 

each (as they will be useful where they live) I leave 
one of the spy glasses which constituted part of 
my equipage during the late war To my com- 
patriot in arms, and old and intimate friend Doet'r 
Craik, I give my Bureau (or as the Cabinet mak- 
ers call it Tambour Secretary) and the circular chair 

an appendage of my study To Doct'r David 

Stuart I give my large Shaving and dressing table 
and my Telescope — To the Reverend now Bry- 
an Lord Fairfax I give a bible in three large folio 
volumes with notes, presented to me by the Right 
Reverend Thomas Wilson, Bishop of Sodorand Man 
To General de la Fayette I give a pair of fine- 
ly wrought steel pistols taken from the enemy in the 
Revolutionary war To my sisters in law Han- 
nah Washington, and Mildred Washington; — To 
my friends Eleanor Stuart, Hannh Washington 
of Fairfield and Elizabeth Washington of Hayfield 
I give each a mourning Ring of the value of one 

hundred dollars These bequests are not made 

for the intrinsic value of them, but as mementos of 

my esteem and regard To Tobias Lear I give 

the use of the farm which he now holds in virtue of 
a lease from me to him and his deceased wife (for 
and during their natural lives) free from Rent du- 
ring his life, at the expiration of which it is to be 

disposed of as hereafter directed To Sallie B. 

Haynie (a distant relation of mine) I give and be- 
queath three hundred dollars To Sarah Green 



17 
t 

daughter of the deceased Thomas Bishop and to 
Ann Walker, daughter of John Alton, also deceased 
1 give to each one hundred dollars, in consideration 
of the attachment of their father to me, each of 
whom having lived nearly forty years in my fam- 
ily.- -To each of my nephewsWilliam Augustine 

Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe Wash- 
ington, Bushrod Washington, and Samuel Washing- 
ton, I Give one of the sword or u cutteaux" of 
which I may die possessed, and they are to u chuse v 

in ihe order they are named. —These swords 

are accompanied with an injunction not tounsheath 
them for the purpose of shedding blood except it 
be for self defence or in defence of their Country and 
its rights, and in the latter case to keep them un- 
sheathed, and prefhr falling with them in their hands 
to the relinquishment thereof. 

And xow, 
Having gone through these specific clevises, with the 
explanations for the more correct understanding of 
the meaning and design of them, I proceed to the 
distribution of the more important parts of my Es- 
tate, in manner following : 

First — To my nephew Bushrod Washington and 
his heirs (partly in consideration of an intimation 
to his deceased father, while we were bachelors and 
he had kindly undertaken to superintend my Estate 
dnrinsr my military services in the former war be- 
tween Great Britain and France, that if I should fall 



18 

therein, Mt. Vernon (then less extensive in domain 
than at present) should become his property) I give 
and bequeath all that part thereof which is 
comprehended within the following limits— viz: — 
Beginning at the ford of Dogue Run near my mill 
and extending along the road and bounded thereby 
as it now goes, and ever has gone since my recollec- 
tion of it, to the ford of little Hunting Creek, at the 
gum spring until it comes to a knowl opposite ta 
an old road which formerly passed through the low- 
er field of Muddy Hole Farm; at which, on the north 
side of the said road are three red or Spanish oaks 

marked as a corner, and a stone placed thence by 

a line of trees to be marked rectangular to the back 
line, or outer boundary of the tract between Thomas 

Mason and myself, thence with that line easterly 

(now double ditching with a post and rail fence there- 
on) to the run of Little Hunting Creek, thence with 
that run, which is the boundary of the lands of the 
late Humphrey Peake and me, to the tide water of 
the said creek, thence by that water to Potomac Riv- 
er, thence with the River to the mouth of Dogue 
Creek, and thence with the said Dogue Creek to the 
place of beginning, at the aforesaid ford, containing 
upwards of Four thousand acres, be the same more 
or less, together with the Mansion House, and all 

other buildings and improvements thereon.-— 

Secondly — In consideration of the consanguinity 
between them and my wife, being as nearly related 



19 

to her as to myself, as on account of the affection I 
had for, and the obligation I was under to their fa- 
ther when living, who from his youth had attached 
himself to my person and followed my fortunes 
through the vicissitudes of the late Revolution, af. 
ter wards devoting his time to the superintendence 
of my private concerns for many years whilst my 
public employments rendered it impracticable for 
me to do it myself, thereby affording me essential 
services, and always performing them in a manner 
the most filial and respectful: for these reasons I 
say; I give and bequeath to George Fayette Wash- 
ington and Lawrence Augustine Washington and 
their heirs my Estate east of little Hunting creek 
lying on the Eiver Potomac, including the farm of 
360 acres, leased to Tobias Lear, as noticed before, 
and containing in the whole, by deeds, Two thous- 
and twenty seven acres, be it more or less which 
said Estate, it is my will and desire should be equi- 
tably and advantageously divided between them, 
according to quantity, quality and other circum- 
stances when the youngest shall have arrived at the 
age of twentj'-one years, by three judicious and dis- 
interested men, one to be chosen by each ot the bro- 
thers and the third by these two. In the mean time 
if the termination of my Avife's interest therein 
should have ceased, the profits, arising therefrom are 
to be applied for their joint uses and benefit. 

Third-^And whereas it has always beenmvinten- 



20 

tion, since my expectation of having issue has ceas- 
ed, to consider the grandchildren of my wife in the 
same light as I do 1113^ own relations and to act a 
friendly part by them, more especially by the two 
whom we have reared from their earliest infancy, 
namely, Eleanor Parke Custisand George Washing- 
ton Parke Custis; and whereas the former of these 
hath lately intermarried with Lawrence Lewis, a son 
of my deceased sister Betty Lewis, by which nnion 
the inducement to provide for them both has been 
increased, Wherefore I give and bequeath to the 
said Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor Park Lewis, his 
wife, and their heirs, the residue of my Mount Ver- 
non Estate, not already devised to my nephew 
Bushrod Washington comprehended within the fol- 
lowing description, — viz: — all the land north of the 
Eoad leading from the ford of Dogue Bun to the 
Gum Spring as described in the devise of the other 
part of the tract to Bushrod Washington until it 
comes to the stone and three red or Spanish oaks on 

the knowl, thence with the rectangular line to 

the back line (between Mr. Mason and me) thence 

with that line westerly, along the new double ditch 

to Dogue Bun, by the tumbling dam of my mill, 

thence with the said Bun to the ford aforementioned; 
to which I add all the land I possess west of the said 
Dogue Bun and Dogue Creek, bounded East* rly and 
Southerly thereby together with the Mill, Distil- 
lery and all other houses and improvements on the 



21 

premises, making together about two thousand acres, 
Toe it more or less. 

Fourth— .Actuated by the principle already men- 
tioned, I give and bequeath to George Washington 
Parke Custis, the grand son of my wife and my ward, 
and to his heirs, the tract I hold on Four Mile Run 
in the vicinity of Alexandria, containing one thou- 
sand two hundred acres more or less; and my en- 
tire Square, number twenty-one, in the City of 

Washington. 

Fifth. — All the rest and residue of my Estate, real 
and personal, not disposed of in manner aforesaid — 

in whatsoever c insisting -wheresoever lying, and 

whensoever found a schedule of which, as far as 

is recol'ected, with a reasonable estimate of its value 

is hereunto annexed 1 desire may be sold by my 

Executors at such times, in such manner, and on 
such credits (if an equal, valid, and satisfactory dis- 
tribution of the specific property cannot be made with- 
out) as, in their judgment shall be most conducive to 
the interest of the parties concerned, and the monies 
arising therefrom to be divided into twenty-three 
equal parts and applied as follows, viz: 

To William Augustine Washington, Elizabeth 
Spotswood, Jane Thornton, and the heirs of Ann 
Ashton; son and daughters of my deceased brother 
Augustine Washington, I give and bequeath four 
parts, — —that is one part to each of them. 

To Fielding Lewis, George Lewis, Robert 



22 

Lewis, Howell Lewis and Betty Carter, sons and 
daughters of my deceased sister Betty Lewis, I give 

and bequeath five other parts one to each of 

them. 

To George Steptoe Washington, Laurence Au- 
gustine Washington, Harriot Parks, and the heirs 
of Thornton Washington, sons and daughters of my 
deceased brother Samuel Washington, I give and be- 
queath other four parts, one part to each of them. 

To Corbin ^Vashington, and the heirs of Jane 
Washington, son and daughter of my deceased bro- 
ther, John Augustine Washington, I give and be- 
queath two parts one part to each of them. 

To Samuel Washington, Francis Ball and 
Mildred Hammond, son and daughters of my brother 
Charles Washington, I give and bequeath three 

parts one part to each of them. And to 

George Fayette Washington, Charles Augustine 
Washington and Maria Washington, sons and 
daughter of my deceased nephew, George Augustine 
Washington, I give one other partr-that is — to 
each a third of that part. 

To Elizabeth Parke Law, Martha Parke Peter, 
and Eleanor Parke Lewis, I give and bequeath 
three other parts — that is — a part to each of them. 

And to my nephews Bushrod Washington and 
Lawrence Lewis, — and to my ward, the grand son 
of my wife, I give and bequeath one other part; — 
that is a third thereof to each of them — And if it 



23 

should so happen, that any of the persons whose 
names are here enumerated (unknown to me) should 
now he deceased, or should die before me, that in 
either of these cases, the heirs of such deceased per- 
son shall, notwithstanding, derive all the benefit of 
the bequest, in the same manner as if he or she was 
actually living at the time. 

And by wa}^ of advice, I recommend it to my Ex- 
ecutors not to be precipitate in disposing of the 
landed property (herein directed to be sold) if from 
temporary causes the sale thereof should be dull, 
experience having full}' evinced that the price of 
land (especially above the Falls of the Rivers and 
on the TFestern TFaters) have been progressively ri- 
sing, and cannot be long checked in its increasing 

value, and I particularly recommend it to such 

of the Legatees (under this clause of my will) as can 
make it convenient, to take each a share of my stock 
in the Potomac Company, in preference to the 
amount of what it might sell for; being thoroughly 
convinced myself, that no uses to which the money 
can be applied, will be so productive as the tolls 
arising from this navigation when in full operation 
(and this from the nature of things it must be 'ere 
long) and more especially if that of the Shenandoah 
is added thereto. — 

The family vault, at Mount Yernon, requiring 
repairs, and being improperly situated besides, I de- 
sire that a new one of brick, and upon a larger 



24 

scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly 
called the Vineyard Inclosure, — on the ground which 
is marked out. — In which my remains, with those 
of my deceased relatives (now in the old vault) and 
such others of my family as may chuse to be entomb- 
ed there, may be deposited. — And it is my express 
desire that my corpse may be interred in a private 

manner, without parade or funeral oration. - 

Lastly — I constitute and appoint my dearly be- 
loved wife, Martha Washington, my nephews, Wil- 
liam Augustine Washington, Bushrod Washington, 
George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Washington, 
and Lawrence Lewis, and my ward, George Wash- 
ington Parke Custis (when he shall have arrived at 
the age of twenty years) executrix and executors of 
this will and testament, — In the construction of 
which it will readily be perceived that no profes- 
sional character has been consulted or has any agen- 
cy in the draught— and that, although it has occu- 
pied many of my leisure hours to digest and to 
through it into its present form, it may notwith- 
standing, appear crude and incorrect — But having 
endeavored to be plain and explicit m all the Devi- 
sees — even at the expense of prolixity, perhaps of 
tautology, I hope and trust that no disputes will 
arise concerning them; but if contrary to expecta- 
tion the case should be otherwise from the want 
of legal expression, or the usual technical 
terms, or because too much or too little has been 



25 

said on any of the devisees to be consonant with 
law, my will and direction expressly is, that all dis- 
putes (if unhappily any should arise) shall be deci- 
ded by three impartial and intelligent men, known 
for their probity and good understanding; two to 
be chosen by the disputants, each having the choice 
of one, and the third by those two, — which three 
men thus chosen, shall, unfettered by law or legal 
constructions, declare their sense of the Testator's 
intention; and such decision is, to all intents and 
purposes to be as binding on the parties as if it had 
been given in the Supreme Court of the United 
States. 

In witness of all and of each of these things herein 
contained I have set my hand and seal this ninth 
day of Julv, in the year one thousand seven hun- 
dred and ninety* and of the Independence of the 
United States, the twenty-fourth. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON 

* The word "nine." was left out. 



26 



Scliedule of Property comprehended in the forego- 
ing will, which is directed to be sold, and some of 
it, conditionally, is sold; with descriptive and ex- 
planatory notes relative thereto: — 

IX VIRGINIA 

ACRES. PRICE. DOLLARS. 

Loudoun County — 

Difficult Eun 300 6,666 (a) 

Loudoun & Fauquier — 

Ashby's Bent 2,481 $10 24,810 ) (1 

Chattin's Eun 885 8 7,080 J [U 

Berkley — 

So. Fork of Bullskin 1,600 ) 
Head of E van's M 453 V 

In "FPormley's line 183 J 



2,236 20 


44,720 


(c) 


Frederick — 






Bought from Mercer 571 20 


11.420 


(d) 


Hampshire — 






On Potk. river above B 240 15 


3,600 


w 


Gloucester — 






On North river 400 abt 


3,600 


(/■) 


Nansemond — 






Near Suffolk J of) ,>-> Q 
1119 acres | 6i6 


2,984 


(g) 


Great Dismal Swamp — 






My dividend thereof abt 


20,000 


(70 



27 



Ohio River — 










Round Bottom 
Little Kanhawa 
16 miles lower clown 
Opposite Big Beni 


587 
2.314 
2,448 
1,395 










9,771 


10 


97,440 


w 


Great Kanhawa — 










Xear mouth, west 
East side above 
Mouth Cole river 
Opposite thereto 
Burning Spring 


10,990 

7,276 

2,000 

2,950 

125 










23,311 




200,000 


(lb) 


Maryland — 










Charles County 


600 


6 


3,600 


(I) 


Montgomery Count} 


r 519 


12 


6,228 


(m) 


Pennsylvania — 










Great Meadows 


234 


6* 


1,404 


In) 


New York 










Mohawk river abt 


1,000 


6 


6.000 


(o) 


North West Territory- 










On Little Miami 
Ditto 

Ditto 


839 

977 

1,235 


5 


15,251 






3,051 


(P) 


Kentucky — 










Rough Creek 
Ditto adjoin -g 


3.000 
2,000 









5,000 2 10,000 (q) 

Lots — viz: — 



28 



City of Washington. r— 

Two near Capital sqr. 634 

Cost $963 and with Buildgs 

Xos. 5, 12, 13 and 14, the 3 
last water lots on the Eastern 
Branch in sqr. 667, containing 
together 34,438 sqr feet at 12 
cts. 

Alexandria — 

Corner of Pitt and Prince sts. ~) 
half an acre, laid out into buil- j 
dings, 3 or 4 of which are let j 
on ground rent at $3 per foot. J 

Winchester — 

A lot in the town, of half an aci\3 5 ) 
and another on the commons of ,; 
about 6 acres — supposed. | 

Bath or Warm Springs — 

Two well situated and had buil- \ 
dings to the amount of .€150. j 

STOCK. 



United States 6 per cts. 

Do deferred 1,873 ) . ~ 

3 prcts. 2,946 j ^ 



3,746 
500 



Potomac Company — 

24 shares cost ea. £100 sterVg 

James Biver Company — 

5 shares each cost $100 

Bank of Columbia — 

170 shares — $40 each 
Bank of Alexandria — besides ) 
20 to the Free School 5 J 



15,000 0) 
4,132 (s) 



4,000 (t) 

400 (it) 
801 {v) 



6,246 (x) 
10,666 (y) 

500 (z) 

6,800 ) 
1,000 ) 



29 



Stock — living — viz : — 

1 covering horse, 5 coh horses, 
4 riding do., 6 brood mares, 20 
working horses and mares, 2 cov- 
ering jacks and 3 young ones, 10 
she asses, 42 working mules, 15 
younger ones, 329 head of horned 
cattle, 640 sheep, and a large stock 
of hogs the precise number un- 
known. 

(g° My manager has estimated * 
this live stock at £7,000, but I 
shall set it down in order to make 
sd sum at 

Aggregate amount : 



15,653 



$530,000 



30 



NOTES, 

(a) This tract, for the size of it, is valuable; 

more for its situation than the quality of its 
soil, though that is good for farming, with a 
considerable portion of ground that might be 
very easily improved into meadow. It lyes on 
the great road from the city of Washington, Al- 
exandria and Georgetown, to Leesburgh and 
Winchester, at Difficult bridge, niueteen miles 
from Alexandria, less from the City and George- 
town, and not more than three from Matilda- 
ville, at the Great Falls of Potomac. There is 
a valuable seat on the premises, and the whole 
is conditionally sold for the sum annexed in the 
schedule. 

(b) What the selling prices of lands in the vi- 
cinity of these two tracts are, I know not; but 
compared with those above the ridge, and others 
below them, the value annexed will appear mod- 
erate, a less one would not obtain them from me. 

(c) The surrounding land, not superior in soil, 
situation or properties of any sort, sell currently 
at from twenty to thirty dollars an acre. The 
lowest price is affixed to these. 

(d) The observations made in the last note ap- 
plies equally to this tract, being in the vicinity 
of them, and of similar quality, aJiho it lyes in 
another countv. 



31 

(e) This tract, though small, is extremely valu- 

able. It lyes on the Potomac river, about twelve 
miles above the town of Bath [or TFarm Springs] 
and is in the shape of a horse shoe, the river 
running almost around it. Two hundred acres 
of it is rich low grounds; with a great abun- 
dance of the largest and finest walnut trees, 
which, with the produce of the soil might [by 
means of the improved navigation of the Poto- 
mac] be brought to a shipping port with more 
ease and at a smaller expense than that which 
is transported 30 miles, only by land. 

(/) This tract is of second rate Gloucester low 

ground; it has no improvement thereon, but lyes 
on navigable water abounding in fish and oys- 
ters; it was received in payment of a debt [car- 
rying interest] and valued in the year 1789, by 
an impartial gentleman to £800. N. B. — It has 
Jettel.y been sold and there is due thereon a 
balance equal to what is annexed — the schedule. 

(g) These 373 acres are the third part of undi- 

vided purchases made by the deceased Fielding 
Lewis, Thomas Walker and myself, on full con- 
viction that they would become valuable. The 
land lyes on the road from Suffolk to Norfolk, 
touches [if I am not mistaken] some part of the 
navigable water of Xansemond river, borders on 
and comprehends part of the rich Dismal Swamp; 
is capable of great improvement, and from its 



32 

situation must become extremely valuable. 

(h) This is an undivided interest which I held 

in the Great Dismal Swamp Company, contain- 
ing 400 acres, with my part of the plantation 
and stock thereon, belonging to the Company in 
the said swamp 

(i) These several tracts of land are of the first 

quality on the Ohio river, in the parts where 
they are situated; being almost, if not altogeth- 
er, river bottoms. 

The smallest of these tracts is actually sold 
at ten dollars an acre, but the consideration 
therefor not received, the rest are equally valu- 
able, and will sell as high, especially that which 
lyes just below the little Kanhawa, and is oppo- 
site to a thick settlement on the west side of the 
river. 

The four tracts have an aggregate breadth 
upon the river of sixteen miles, and is bounded 
thereby that distance. 

(k) These tracts are situated on the Great 

Kanhawa river, and the first four are bounded 
thereby for more than forty miles. It is ac- 
knowledged by all who have seen them [and of 
the tract containing 10,990 acres which I have 
been on myself, I can assert] that there is no 
richer or more valuable land in all that region. 
They are conditionally sold for the sum men- 
tioned in the schedule, that is $200,090, and if 



33 

the terms of that sale are not complied with, 
they will command considerably more. The 
tract of which the 125 acres is a moiety, was 
taken up by General Andrew Lewis and myself 
for and on account of a bituminous Spring which 
it contains, of so innamable a nature as to burn 
as freely as spirits, and is as nearly difficult to 
extinguish. 

(?) I am but little acquainted with this land, al- 

though I have once been on it. It was received 
[manj^ears since] in discharge of a debt due to 
me from Daniel Janifer Adams, at the value an- 
nexed thereto, and must be worth more. It is 
very level, lyes near the river Potomac. 

(m) This tract lyes about 30 miles above the 

City of Washington not far from Kittoctan. It 
is good farming land, and by those who are well 
acquainted with it, I am informed that it would 
sell at twelve or $15 pr. acre. 

(n) This land is valuable on account of its local 

situation and other properties. It affords an 
exceeding good stand on Braddock's Road from 
Fort Cumberland to Pittsburgh paid besides a 
fertile soil possesses a large quantity of natural 
meadow fit for the scythe. It is distinguished 
by the appellation of the Great Meadows, where 
the first action with the French in the year 1754 
was fought. 

(o) This is the moiety of about 2,000 acres, 



34 

which remains unsold of 6,071 acres on the Mo- 
hawk river [Montgomery Ct'y] in a patent 
granted to Daniel Coxe in the township of 
Coxebourgh <£' Carolaca, as will appear by deed 
from Marinus Willet and wife to George Clin- 
ton [late Governor of ]^ew York] and myself. 
The latter sales have been at six dollars an 
acre, and what remains unsold vrill fetch that or 

more. 

( p) The quality of these lands and their situa- 

tion may be known by the surveyor's certifi- 
cates, which are filed along with the patents. 
They lye in the vicinity of Cincinnati, one tract 
near the mouth of the little Miami, another 
seven, and the third ten miles up the same. I 
have been informed that they will readily com- 
mand more than they are estimated at. 

(q) For the description of these tracts in detail, 

see General Spottswood's letters filed with the 
other papers relating to them. Besides the gen- 
eral good quality of the land, there is a valuable 
bank of iron ore thereon, which when the set- 
tlement becomes more populous [and settlers 
are moving that way very fast] will be found 
very valuable, as the rough creek, a branch of 
Green river affords ample water for furnaces 
and forges. 

LOTS, Viz.: 
CITY OP WASHIKGTOX. 

(r) The two lots near the Capital in square 



35 

634, cost me $963 only, but in this price I was 
favoured on condition that I should build two 
brick houses, three story s high each; without 
this, reduction, the selling price of those lots 
would have cost me about $1350. 

These lots with the buildings thereon when 
completed, will stand me in $15,000 at least. 
(5) Lots Nos. 5, 12.13 and 14, on the Eastern 

Branch, are advantageously situated on the 
water, and although many lots much less conve- 
nient, have sold a great deal higher, I will rate 
these at 12 cts. the square foot only. 

ALEXANDRIA. 

(t) For this lot, though unimproved, I have 

refused $3,500. It has since beeu laid off into 
proper sized lots for building on, three or four of 
which are let on ground rent forever at three 
dollars a foot on the street, and this price is ask- 
ed for both fronts on Pitt and Princess streets. 

WINCHESTER. 

(v.) As neither the lot in the town or common 

have any improvements on them it is not easy 
to fi.x a price, but as both are well situated it is 
presumed the price annexed to them in the 
schedule is a reasonable vain. 

BATH. 

(r) The lots in Bath [two adjoining] cost me to 

the best of my recollection, between fifty and 



36 

sixty pounds, 20 years ago and the buildings 
thereon, £150 more. Whether property there 
has increased or decreased in it's value, and in 
what condition the houses are, I am ignorant, 
but suppose they are not valued too high, 

(x) These are the sums which are actually fun- 

ded, and though no more in the aggregate than 
$7566, stand me in at least ten thousand pounds 
in Virginia money, being the amount of bonded 
and other debts due to me, and discharged du- 
ring the war, when money had depreciated in 
that ratio and was so settled by public authority. 

(y) The value annexed to these shares is what 

they have actually cost me, and is the price 
affixed by law, and although the present selling 
price is under par, my advice to the Legatees 
[for whose benefit they are intended, especially 
those who can afford to lye out of the money] 
is that each should take and hold one; there 
being a moral certainty of a great and increasing 
profit arising from them in the course of a few 
years. 

(z) !•, is supposed that the shares in the James 

River Company must also be productive. But 
of this I can give no decided opinion for want of 
more accurate information. 

(&) ] These are nominal prices of the Shares of 
the Banks of Alexandria and Columbia the sel- 
ling prices vary according to circumstances but 



37 

as the stock usually divided from eight to ten 
per cent per annum, they must he worth the 
former, at least, so long as the Banks are con- 
ceived to he secure, although circumstances may 
sometimes below it. 

The value of the live stock depends more 
upon the quality than quantity of the different 
species of it and this again upon the demand, 
and judgment or fancy of purchasers. 
Mount Yemen, 9 July 1799. 

G. WASHINGTON. 

At a court held for the county of Fairfax the 
20th day of January, 1800, this last will and testa- 
ment of George Washington, deceased, late Presi- 
dent of the United States of America, was present- 
ed m court by George Steptoe Washington, Samuel 
Washington, and Lawrence Lewis, three of the ex- 
ecutors therein named, who made oath thereto, and 
the same being proved by the oaths of Charles Lit- 
tle, Charles Simms and Ludwell Lee, to be in the 
true hand writing of the said testator, as also the 
scedide thereto annexed, and the said will, being- 
sealed and signed by him, is on motion, ordered to 
be recorded. And the said executors having given 
security and performed what the laws require, a 
certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate 
thereof in due form. 

Teste : G. DENEALE, CI. Ex. 

R. L. H. fc. 1.— Exd. bv G. DENBALKCl. Fx. 



mm* w®mm&fm*§ will, 

In the Name of God, Amen, 
I, Martha Washington, of Mount Yernon, in the 
county of Fairfax, being of sound mind, and capa- 
ble of disposing of my worldly estate, do make, or- 
dain and declare this to be my last will and testa- 
ment, hereby revoking all other wills and testaments 
by me heretofore made. 
Imprimis. — It is my desire that all my just debts 

may be punctually paid, and that as speedily as the 
same can be done. 

Item. — I give and devise to my nephew, Bartholo- 
mew Dandridge, and his heirs, my lot in " the town 
of Alexandria, situate on Pitt and Cameron streets, 
devised to me by my late husband, George Wash- 
ington, deceased. 

Item. — I give and bequeath to my four nieces, 
Martha W. Dandridge, Mary Dandridge, Frances 
Lucy Dandridge, and Frances Henley, the debt of 
two thousand pounds due from Lawrence Lewis 
and secured by his bond, to be equally divided be- 
tween them or such of them as shall be alive at my 
death, and to be paid to them respectively on 'the 
days of their respective marriage or arrival at the 



40 

age of twenty-one years, whichsoever shall first hap- 
pen, together with all the interest on said debt re- 
maining unpaid at the time of my death; and in case 
the whole or any pari of said principal sum of two 
thousand pounds shall foe paid to me during nry life, 
then it is my will that so much money be raised out 
of my est hall be equal to what I have receiv- 

ed of the said principal debt, an I distributed among 
my four nieces aforesaid as herein has been bequeath- 
ed; and it is my meaning that the interest accruing 
after my death, on the said sum of two thousand 
pounds, shall belong to my said nieces, and be equal- 
ly divided between them, or such of them as shall be 
alive at the time of my death, and be paid annually 
for their respective uses, until they receive their 
shares of the principal. 

Item. — I give and bequeath to my grandson, G-eorge 
Washington Parke Custis, all the silver plate of 
every kind of which I shall die possessed, together 
with the two large plated coolers, the four small 
plated coolers, with bottle castors, and a pipe of 
wine, if there be one in the house at the time ot my 
death, also the set of Cincinnati tea and table china, 

the bowl that has a ■ in it, the fine old china 

jars which usually stand on the chimney-piece in the 
new room: also, all the family pictures of every sort, 
and the pictures painted by his sister, and two 



small screens, worked one by his sister, and the oth- 
er a present from Kitty Brown ; also his choice of 
prints; also, the two girandoles and lustres that 
stand on them; also., the new bedstead which I caused 
to be made in Philadelphia; together with the bed, 
mattresses, bolsters and pillows, and the white dim- 
ity curtains belonging thereto; also, two other beds 
with bolsters and pillows, and the white dimity 
window curtains in the new room; also, the iron chest 
and ihe desk in my closet which belonged to my 
first husband; also, all my books of every kind, 
except the large bible and prayer book; also, the set? 
of teachina that was given me by Mr. Van Bra am 
every piece having M. W. on it. 

Item. — I give and bequeath to my grand daughter 
Martha Peter, my writing table and the seat to it 
standing in my chamber; also, the print of General 
Washington hanging in the passage, 

Item. — I give and bequeath to my grand daughter 
Elizabeth Parke Law, the dressing table and gias? 
that stands in the chamber called the yellow room, 
and General Washington's picture, painted by 
Trumbull. 

Item. — I give and bequeath to my grand daughter 
Eleanor Parke Lewis, the large looking glass in the 
front parlor, and any other looking glass which she 
may choose; also, one of the new side-board tables in 
the new room: also twelve chairs with green bot- 
toms, to be selected by herself; also, the marble table 
in the garret; also, the two prints of the Dead Sol- 
dier, a. print of the Washington Family, in a box in 



42 

the garret, and the [great chair standing in my cham- 
ber; also, all the plated ware not heretofore other- 
wise bequeathed; also, all the sheets, table linen, 
napkins, towels, pillow cases, remaining in the house 
at the time of my death; also, three bed and bed- 
steads, curtains, bolsters and pillows for each bed, 
such as she shall choose, and not herein particularly 
otherwise bequeathed, together with counterpanes 
and a pair of blankets for each bed; also, all the wine 
glasses and decanters of every kind, and all the blue 
and white china in common use. 

Item, — It is'my will and desire that all the wine 
in bottles in the vaults be equally divided between 
my grand daughters and grand son, to each of whom 
I bequeath ten guineas to buy a ring for each. 

Item. — It is my will and desire that Anna Maria 
Washington, the daughter of my niece, be put into 
handsome mourning at my death, at the expense of 
my estate; and I bequeath to her ten guineas to buy 
a ring. 

Item. — I give and bequeath to my neighbor, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Washington, five guineas, to get some- 
thing in remembrance of me . 

Item. — I give and bequeath to Mrs. David Stuart, 
five guineas to buy her a ring. 

Item. — I give and bequeath to Benjamin Lincoln 
Lear, one hundred pound specie, to be vested in 
funded stock of the United States, immediately after 
my decease, and to stand in his name as his property, 



43 

which investment my executors are to cause to be 
made. 

Item'— When the vestry of Truro Parish shall buy 
a glebe, I devise, will and bequeath that my ex- 
ecutors shall pay one hundred pounds to them in 
aid of the purchase, provided the said purchase, 
be made in my life-time, or within three years after 
my decease. 

Item. — It is my will and desire that all the rest 
and residue of my estate, of whatever kind and 
description, not herein specifically devised or be- 
queathed, shall be sold by the executors of this, my 
last willy for ready money, as soon after my decease 
as the same can be done, and that the proceeds there- 
of together with all the money in the house and the 
debts due to me (the debts due from me and the 
legacies herein bequeathed being first satisfied,) shall 
be invested by my executors in eight per cent stock 
of the funds of United States, and shall stand on the 
Book inthe name of my executors in their character of 
executors of my will; and it is my desire that the 
interest thereof shall be applied to the education of 
Bartholomew Henley and Samuel Henley, the two . 
youngest sons of my sister Henley, and also the ed- 
ucation of John Dandridge son of my deceased neph- 
ew, John Dandridge, so that they may be severally 
fitted and accomplished in some useful trade; and to 
each of them, who shall have lived to finish his 
education, or to reach the age of twenty-one years, 



I give and bequeath one hundred pounds, to set him 
up in his trade. 
Item. — My debts and legacies being- paid, and t 

education of Bartholomew Henley, Samuel Henley 
and .John Handridge, aforesaid, being completed, or 
they being all dead before the completion thereof, 
it is my will and desire that all my estates and in- 
terests in whatever form existing, whether in money, 
funded stock, or any other species of property, shall 
be equally divided among all the persons herein 
after named, who shall be living at the time that in - 
terest of the funded stock shall cease to be applicable 
in pursuance of my will herein before expressed, to 
the education of my nephews, Baartholomew Hen- 
ley, Samuel Henley and John Handridge, namely: 
among Anna Maria Washington, daughter of my 
niece, and John Danclridge, son of my nephew, and 
ail my great grand children living at the time that 
the interest of t lie said funded stock shall cease to be 
applicable to the education of the said B. Henley, 
3. Henley, and John Handridge, and the interest 
shall cease to be so applied when all of them shall 
die before arriving at the age of twenty-one 
or those living shall have finished their education oj 
nave arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and so 
long as any one of the three lives who has not finish- 
ed his education or arrived to the age of twenty-one 
years, the division of the said residue is to be defer- 
c :•!, and no longer. 



45 



Lastly. — I nominate and appokr my grand son : 
George Washington Parke Custis, my nephews. 
lius B. Dahdridge and Bartholomew Dandridge 
my son in law, Thomas Peter, executors of this, my 
last will and testament. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand 

anclj seal this twent} T -second day of September, ir 

the yea^ eighteen hundred, 

| MAETHA WA^HINGIO v [ e u..] 

Sealed, signed, acknowl- 
edged and delivered as her 
last will and testament in the 
presence of the subscribing 
witnesses, who have been re- f 
quested to subscribe the 
same as such, in her pres- 
ence. 

March 4, 1802. 

I give to my grand son, George Washington 
Parke Custis, my mulatto man Elish, that I bought 
of Mr. Butler Washington, to him and his heirs for- 
ever. M. WASHIXGTOK. 



eogee farrell, 

William Spencer, 
Lawrence Lewis, 
Martha Peter. 



46 

The Title. 
Mt. Vernon was originally a 5000 acre grant as- 
signed to John Washington the great grand father of 
geop.ge, who together with Nicholas Spencer pat- 
ented it from Lord Cnlpeper in 1670. It descended 
from him to his son Lawrence who- in turn left it 
to his son Augustine the father of george. It 
was left by him to Lawrence and was called in his 
will "The Hunting Creek Estate." Lawrence in 
1743 built the main Building and gave it its present 
name in honor of Admiral Vernon with whom he 
had served in the battle of Carthagena in 1741. At 
his death he left it to his infant daughter providing 
that in the event of her death it should go to his 
brother george. By Washington's will it went to 
his wife during her life and afterwards to his nephew 
Judge Bushrod Washington a Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the U. S., he was appointed 
by President Adams. This gentleman died in 1829 
aged 70 and left the place to his nephew John Au- 
gustine who dying in 1832 left the estate to his 
widow Mrs. Jane, by whom it was left to her son 
John Augustine Washington Esq., by whom in 
1837 it was sold to the 3iT. yernon ladies associ- 
ation of the union for $200,000, Congress having 
previously refused to purchase the place. 



47 

MISCELLANEOUS RECOLLECTIONS 

During the war of 1812 when the Britishfleet pas- 
sed Mount Vernon on their way up the Potomac 
they stopped opposite the place and fired a salute in 
respect to the honored dead. 

WAsnraGTGN's Library consisting of over 12,00 
volumns, 100 maps, charts &c,were appraised by his 
executors at $2,600. 

Washixgtoxs mother Mrs. Mary Washington, 
died August 25. 1789. Congress determined to erect 
a monument over her remains, and in 1833, the cor- 
ner stone was laid by President Jackson, with great 
ceremonies, and yet to this day it has never been 
completed, and stands like the unfinished shaft at 
Washington, a disgrace to the nation, and an emblem 
of their ingratitude. 

The Poters Lodge, three quarters of a mile dis- 
tant, have been rebuilt at a cost of §1,000, through 
the^exertions of the Vice Regent from Wisconsin. It 
was at this gate that a covalcadeof citizens of Alex- 
andria met Washington and escorted him to town 
when he left Mt. Vernon to assume the Presidential 
chair. 

Washingtsn's Bier spoken of by Lossing was de- 
stroyed by fire when the Alexandria Museum was 
consumed in 1871, when the Old Market was burnt. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




011 836 671 2 



